Off On A New Tangent.

"MAIRA Kalman, Maira Kalman." That's all you'll hear from me for a while. My work colleague and friend, JoAnn, turned me on to her by showing me a book Kalman had written, "The Principles of Uncertainty." Filled with her gouache illustrations, (from photographs, I think) it inspired me to be on the lookout for people from everyday life I could draw and write about.
The first person was a woman in the supermarket - a small, "real," hometown market, not an upscale foodie paradise. It was just before Thanksgiving and the woman smiled at me uncertainly, almost shyly, as if she were out doing something she shouldn't. She stuck in my mind and I drew her into my art journal. Let's see if I can find her ... her she is above.
I missed a great opportunity a few weeks later. There was a man with long hair smoking in the same grocery store parking lot, leaning on the hood of a car. Boy do I regret not taking his picture!
So when I saw Michelle - I didn't know her name when I stopped her - I ran after her and boldly asked if I could take her picture. She was so gracious I almost couldn't stand it. What a joy! Here she is in a new journal I have begun that is solely dedicated to the people I meet throughout this year. Please note, I am not finished painting Michelle. And, as Kalman preaches, it is not the artistic ability, it is the doing. (I translate her philosophy roughly here.) If you want to read an interview with the artist herself, check out this blog.
Now I must get going on this day. I have cleaned our main bathroom, now that the dust has settled from the most recent renovation stage on the room next door (which is the small bathroom off the master bedroom). The floor had almost dropped out and there was dry rot in the walls. The Mister has been a busy bee, working through the knee pain he has after his November surgery. He's been going to rehab and exercising, but construction is rough, hard work for the healthiest knees. We have to shop for shower tile and Creative Circle is tonight with a mystery project scheduled. Cannot wait - femminismo

Cold Outside ... With a Big Moon.

THE moon is getting fuller each evening and tonight the sky is clear and the temperature is dropping. It's 42 degrees out now and sure to go down a little bit more before the night is over.
I have a journal page picture here. The entire journal page consists of a tiny obituary photo I really liked and a poem I found by W.D. Snodgrass.
It is only one stanza of the poem, but it really stood out.
The Mister is in a little pain tonight (after his knee surgery), but that was to be expected. Another pain pill before bed and he should be good for the night. One more day of elevation and ice and he can take up ballet again. ; )
A friend at work, JoAnn, loaned me a book by one of my favorite New Yorker contributing artists Maira Kalman. The book is "The Principles of Uncertainty," and it is wonderful. You can read it in one evening, but you will want to stare at the pictures a long time and admire her knowledge of places, food and people. She must be quite a collector too, of many odd things. If you go to her Web site, check out the "Elements of Style" movie. French music!!
I hope you see the moon wherever you are tonight ... or tomorrow - femminismo